Raspberry Pi Pico vs. Arduino UNO: A Fun Comparison!
The Arduino UNO is a favorite among students, engineers, and hobbyists. But how does it stack up against the newer Raspberry Pi Pico? Let’s dive into the details and see how these two microcontroller boards compare.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Raspberry Pi Pico | Arduino UNO |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | RP2040 | Atmega328P |
| Core and Bits | Dual-core, 32-bit, Cortex-M0+ | Single-core, 8-bit |
| RAM | 264 Kbytes | 2 Kbytes |
| Flash Memory | 2 Mbytes | 32 Kbytes |
| CPU Speed | 48 MHz to 133 MHz | 16 MHz |
| EEPROM | None | 1 KByte |
| Power Input | +5V through USB port | +5V through USB port |
| Alternative Power | 2–5 V via VSYS pin | 7–12 V |
| MCU Operating Voltage | +3.3 V | +5 V |
| GPIO Count | 26 | 20 |
| ADC Count | 3 | 6 |
| Hardware UART | 2 | 1 |
| Hardware I2C | 2 | 1 |
| Hardware SPI | 2 | 1 |
| Hardware PWM | 16 | 6 |
| Programming Languages | MicroPython, C, C++ | C (Arduino IDE) |
| On-board LED | 1 | 1 |
| Cost | $4 | $20 |
What Does This Mean?
- Speed and Performance:
- The Pico is much faster with a dual-core 32-bit processor and speeds up to 133 MHz.
- The UNO has a single-core 8-bit processor at 16 MHz.
- Memory:
- The Pico has 264 Kbytes of RAM and 2 Mbytes of flash memory, which is significantly larger.
- The UNO has only 2 Kbytes of RAM and 32 Kbytes of flash memory but includes 1 KByte of EEPROM for non-volatile storage.
- Power and Voltage:
- Both can be powered via USB, but the Pico can also use 2–5 V directly through the VSYS pin.
- The UNO operates at +5 V and is compatible with +5 V GPIO pins.
- Input/Output Pins:
- The Pico offers more GPIO pins (26 vs. 20) and more PWM channels (16 vs. 6).
- The UNO has more ADC channels (6 vs. 3), which can be useful for analog inputs.
- Programming:
- The Pico supports MicroPython, C, and C++, offering flexibility.
- The UNO primarily uses C through the Arduino IDE, which is beginner-friendly.
- Cost:
- The Pico is more budget-friendly at around $4, compared to the UNO‘s $20.
Special Features:
- The Pico has an on-board temperature sensor, which the UNO lacks.
- The UNO has built-in EEPROM memory for storing data even when powered off.
Fun Factor:
Imagine the Pico as a speedy sports car with lots of gadgets and the UNO as a reliable classic car with a sturdy build and ease of use. Both have their own charm and are great for different projects.
Conclusion
Whether you choose the Raspberry Pi Pico or the Arduino UNO depends on your project needs. If you need speed, memory, and flexibility, go for the Pico. If you need simplicity, more analog inputs, and EEPROM memory, the UNO is a solid choice. Happy tinkering!